German shep pup barking

Posted by Zoey
Nov 13, 2008
My 5 month old GSP is barking at people, neighbors, not all but alot of approaching people and her voice is getting deeper and sound serious. When at home and she is out on the porch and someone gets near and she starts to bark after a few barks I tell her quite and lure her back inside with a treat and when quite I give it to her. I was with her at a pet store and she started barking alot at someone, I didn't have any treats so they offered her some thou she ate them she continued to bark after eating them. Should I lead her away from them with a treat after telling her queit or some other way? It's easy for me at home to do this, it's harder at a store with many people around and not a private area like at home. So what other methods would work out in public? Any trainers that can help direct me?
Thanks
Joe
Posted by KOPsBecks
Nov 17, 2008
Giving her the treats is rewarding her for barking, you must ensure that she is silent and fully calmed down before you reward her, luring her inside is not good behaviour encouragement for her as she is not obeying your commands.
In a barking situation you should firmly say "NO" to get her attention and then teach her another command eg. "QUIET" and then if she is quiet, praise her "GOOD GIRL". At home you can alternate praise with treats to reinforce it initially but your praise should be reward enough. I suggest attending obedience training classes, they are a great way to get your dog to listen to you and work for your praise. They reinforce the bond between you and your dominance as pack leader.

Hopefully a few of these sugegstions help, but you need to be more assertive with her and not just bribe with treats.

becks
Posted by Zoey
Nov 17, 2008
I do not give her a treat untill after I have told her quiet and she has been quiet. I will try the "NO" then "QUIET. Would it be better to stay on the porch where she is barking at the neighbors and continue with the commands, because she usually does stop barking for short time but resumes barking. So do I stay where this is taking place and with firmer 'NO" and "QUIET and if she starts barking again after a few seconds use the commands again.
Posted by KOPsBecks
Nov 18, 2008
Yes repeating the commands is the key, that is how she will learn what is the right behaviour and what is wrong. I know it will be frustrating at first but soon she will learn that if she is quiet she will get praise and if she is noisy she will get growled.
Let me know how you get on,

Becks
Posted by Zoey
Nov 18, 2008
I am getting plenty of chances to work with her on this and the "NO" then "QUIET seems to be working better. I am finding the timing of the praise the fun and interesting part because she is sometimes quick to start barking again and I miss my window for the praise. I may be waiting to long to see how long she may be quite, so should I be giving praise after a few seconds of her being quite? And are you using a growl sound effect?Thanks for your replys and help, I love seeing the progress she is making.
Posted by KOPsBecks
Nov 18, 2008
Thats fantastic I'm so glad to hear you're making progress
I would praise her straight away, as soon as she is quiet. When "growling" her I meant just by using a firm and assertive "NO", growling in the literal sense may encourage her to bark further as she may think you are joining in, sorry if I wasn't clear.

Keep me informed
Posted by Zoey
Nov 19, 2008
O.K. no growling like a dog. I know this is not going to be quick and easy where would be the challenge in that. Should I be socializing her as much as possible in different places to have more people to run into or pass by? Thanks for all your help and any other advice that might help me feel free.
Thanks again.
Posted by KOPsBecks
Nov 19, 2008
Once you have got her listening to you and obeying your commands then yes organise more interactions with people so you have more opportunities to train her. The added bonus of this is if you have organised it then you are prepared for the encounter. However it is important not to get stressed about the situation as she will pick up on your nerves and probably misbehave. It will take time but once she knows what to do you'll see her progress in leaps and bounds!

Becks
Posted by Zoey
Nov 20, 2008
I can't thank you enough for taking the time to reply to my posts and offer your advice, your a star. I will get back to you with my progress and I'm sure more questions. Thanks Becks